I get the sense that perhaps hotel chains expanded so rapidly in North Dallas that they've sort of overdeveloped the market. The suburbs along I-635 and north of there are awash in midscale properties...all of which are *usually* available at comparatively inexpensive rates.

I don't really follow hotel economics closely...all I know is that whether I'm hitting Megabonus, Crack the Case, FFN, or a Starwood promo, there are always plenty of properties to choose from throughout this area. And it's usually *not* the lowest brand in a chain that is the cheapest. (Sheraton is always cheaper than Element, Crowne Plaza is sometimes cheaper than HIX.)

The downside: you get what you pay for. I think back to all of the roadtripping I did in college and high school - sports teams, weddings, or just general group debauchery. We stayed in Red Roof Inns and the like. But now these groups jump on the Internet, see these Courtyard rates, and there's no need for Red Roof Inn anymore. @:-) I've had more than one noisy night and have scratched a couple of properties off my list for this reason alone.

A few miles away in downtown Dallas, the market seems more "normal" - higher rates, higher demand leading to occasionally sold-out hotels, etc.